Whether you're a fan of football or not, you must have heard the name Peyton Manning at some point in time.
He is one of the NFL's leading quarterbacks and will go down in history as a legend.
Don't believe me? Keep reading to find out why.
Early life.
Peyton Manning grew up around football. His dad, Archie Manning, played for the New Orleans Saints for 11 years. Archie had a huge impact on Peyton's life. He considered his dad his hero, favorite football player and teacher. Everything Peyton does on and off the field he learned from his dad.
Peyton also shared the love for football with his brothers, Cooper and Eli. They would always play together in the backyard; soon it became on the high school football field.
Cooper went off to college and played for Ole Miss, but his career was shortened because of an injury. Peyton then took Cooper's jersery number, 18, and swore he would play through him. He then went on to make and break high school records. He led his team to a 34-5 record and was named offensive player of the year.
College career.
After high school, everyone expected Peyton to follow in Archie and Cooper's footsteps and play for Ole Miss. Instead, he went with his gut and went to the University of Tennessee to play quarterback for the Volunteers. He became Tennessee's all-time leading passer with 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns. He won 39 out of 45 games as a starter, breaking the SEC record for career wins. With a record this big, the NFL was looking at him and he was being considered for the top pick in the draft.
Manning was the No. 1 draft pick.
Peyton Manning was the number one pick in the 1998 draft. Instead of Ryan Leaf, who was also being considered for the number one pick, the Indianapolis Colts chose Manning. The Colts felt as though he was a better prospect who was more ready for the NFL. This was the best decision they could have ever made: Manning had an 18-year career while Leaf ended his career in 2002.
Life as a Colt.
As a rookie, Manning made his name known. He passed for 3,739 yards and broke five different NFL rookie records. As a colt he was named MVP on four occasions. In 2006, he led the Colts to the Super Bowl and a 26-21 win over the bears. It was Peyton's first Super Bowl win.
Life as a Bronco.
Peyton Manning made his Broncos debut Aug. 9, 2012. Since then, he has broken more records than he could have ever imagined. Manning broke Brett Favre's passing record with a total of 71,838 yards. He has now won two Super Bowls. He is officially the oldest quarterback to play in, and win, a Super Bowl. Age is just a number; it never stopped Peyton Manning. Say what you want about his age; he still throws the ball with accuracy and like a cannon.
As a Peyton Manning fan, I have never looked forward to seeing the day he retires. It will be a sad day for the NFL when that day comes. He will have ended his career with two Super Bowl wins, many records and a lot of respect.
Whether you remember him as "The Sheriff" or "Omaha," remember that he is one of the greatest quarterbacks that has ever lived. Finding another quarterback with the determination and willpower that Manning has will be difficult.
Peyton will look back on his career and know that he did everything he could in order for him and his teammates to succeed.
Whether he goes into coaching or just retires from football entirely, I will always look back and know that I had a chance to watch Peyton Manning grow as a quarterback and a person.
I will always remember him as my hero.
